Sunday, the Lord’s Day, has been set aside by Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It reminds us not only of Christ’s victory over death but also of the gospel of grace. However, a subtle tension often arises within Christian doctrine: the question of grace versus works. How are we justified before God? Can our works contribute to our salvation, or does grace stand alone?
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The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, addresses this very issue, providing a compelling case against any gospel that includes works. Paul emphasizes that the gospel of grace cannot be earned, and any attempt to combine grace with works nullifies the power and purpose of Christ’s sacrifice.
In Galatians 3, Paul outlines six ways that validate the gospel of grace over any works-based gospel.
1. The Spirit as Proof of Grace (Galatians 3:1-5)
Paul starts by reminding the Galatians of their own experience. They received the Holy Spirit by believing that Christ died for their sins and was raised for their justification. How could they now be deceived into thinking that obedience to the law could improve or complete their salvation?
“I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:2)
Paul’s rhetorical question shows that works cannot add anything to the free gift of grace. To add works to grace is to nullify grace entirely.
2. Abraham: Justified by Faith Before the Law (Galatians 3:6-9)
Next, Paul uses Abraham as an example. Long before the Law of Moses was given, Abraham was declared righteous by faith. His righteousness was not a result of works but a direct outcome of his belief in God’s promises.
“So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” (Galatians 3:9)
This serves as a powerful argument that salvation has always been by faith, not by works, even before the law entered the picture.
3. The Curse of the Law (Galatians 3:10-12)
Paul then contrasts the curse of the law with the righteousness that comes by faith. The law demands perfect obedience, and failure to keep it results in death. No one can fully keep the law, meaning all are under its curse.
“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'” (Galatians 3:10)
By contrast, faith brings life. The righteous will live by faith, not by striving to fulfill the impossible demands of the law.
4. Christ Redeems Us from the Curse (Galatians 3:13-14)
Christ stepped into our place, redeeming us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. By His death, He satisfied the demands of the law and made the way for the promise of the Spirit to be received by faith.
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.'” (Galatians 3:13)
This act of grace demonstrates that salvation comes solely through faith in Christ’s work, not through our own efforts to obey the law.
5. The Promise Stands Apart from the Law (Galatians 3:15-18)
Paul affirms that the promise given to Abraham was not nullified by the Law of Moses. The promise—justification by faith—preceded the law and remains valid throughout all dispensations.
“For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.” (Galatians 3:18)
The law was temporary, serving a purpose, but it could never cancel or replace God’s promise of grace.
6. The Purpose and Fulfillment of the Law (Galatians 3:19-25)
Paul explains that the law was added to highlight sin and to lead people to Christ. However, once faith in Christ is exercised, the law’s role as a guardian is fulfilled. We are no longer under its supervision but are justified by faith alone.
“So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)
Conclusion: Our New Position in Christ (Galatians 3:26-29)
Finally, Paul points to the believer’s new identity in Christ. No longer under the constraints of the law, we are sons and daughters of God, with full inheritance rights. We are united with Christ, who has fulfilled the law on our behalf.
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” (Galatians 3:26)
The message is clear: grace cannot coexist with works in the gospel. To mix the two is to distort the very essence of grace. As Paul teaches, salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, received through faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Final Thoughts
The Apostle Paul’s discourse in Galatians 3 serves as a comprehensive defense of the gospel of grace. Six times over, Paul makes it clear that faith alone justifies, and no amount of human effort can add to or improve the work Christ has completed. As Christians, we must guard the gospel of grace and reject any teaching that mixes works with faith in our salvation.
By following Paul’s teachings, we affirm that grace is a gift we cannot earn, do not deserve, and can never contribute to. Any gospel that includes works destroys the very concept of grace.
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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